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We are not trying to protect banks, says Corporation at first protest hearing

Fay Schlesinger

November 23 2011, 3:03pm, The Times

A trial date was set for December 19 against the Occupy protestersAndy Rain/EPA

A legal bid to remove the anti-City of London protest camp outside St Paul’s Cathedral is not being brought to protect the banks, the High Court was told today.

At the first court hearing in proceedings by the Corporation of London against “persons unknown”, the Corporation said it was “protect(ing) the rights and freedoms of others”.

David Forsdick, counsel for the Corporation, said: “The City is not bringing these claims to protect the banks, nor is it bringing these claims to prevent peaceful protest against the financial sector ... [nor] stymie freedom of speech.

“It’s bringing these claims solely to remove the semi-permanent protest camp because, after very careful consideration, it has concluded that it is necessary to do so as a pressing social need…